News

Cabela’s curtails rate of expansion
Cabela’s smaller stores are not as productive as the company would like so the outdoor retailer is tapping the brakes on growth while it focuses on productivity.

In conjunction with the release of disappointing third quarter results and a reduced full year profit forecast, Cabela’s said it was evaluating it store expansion schedule and currently expects to open seven stores next year and no more than that in 2017.
Outdated technology holding back retailers
Yesterday’s POS won’t cut it when it comes to providing a consistent experience across channels.

That’s among the findings of a study sponsored by NetSuite and conducted by RSR research, which finds that most retailers are falling short in bridging the online and in-store experience Among the main obstacles: outdated existing technology.

Report: Evolve brick-and-mortar to keep up with times

Retailers should continually re-invent the in-store experience to keep up with changing consumer needs.

That is one of the key imperatives for growth identified in a new retail index and executive survey, “Reigniting Growth: Three Imperatives for Retail’s Future,” by SAP SE.
Holiday shoppers may never need to leave home

It’s not like the holidays weren’t going to be challenging enough, but now Amazon.com is expanding its free same-day delivery service to more markets.

Amazon.com said it expanded it Prime free same-day delivery to Chicago and Orlando and new locations in the greater New York, northern New Jersey and Philadelphia area. The service, which does require an annual $99 Prime membership fee, is now available in 750 cities in 16 metropolitan areas. It launched in May.
Bon-Ton Stores closing three stores

The Bon-Ton Stores announced it will close its Elder-Beerman stores in the Huntington Mall in Huntington, West Virginia and the Lima Mall in Lima, Ohio. The retailer said it will not renew the stores’ leases, which terminate January 31, 2016.

Additionally, Bon-Ton is closing its namesake store in the Carousel Center in Syracuse, New York, upon its scheduled lease termination on February 28, 2016.

The company said it does not expect costs associated with the closing of the locations to be material.
Sears puts ‘S’ in seamless experience

Sears Holdings is quite the omnichannel innovator and it just launched another new capability melding digital and physical.
Target plans a very social Halloween

Target is reaching out directly where consumers digitally congregate for its new Halloween promotion.

Target has launched a six-part YouTube interactive video series, “The House on Hallow Hill,” for Halloween this year. The interactive videos will take viewers through a haunted house and give them options to visit different themed rooms, such as “The Ghoulish Graveyard.”
Restoration Hardware gives shoppers a view of the Rockies

RH (Restoration Hardware Holdings) has unveiled the latest iteration of the brand’s next-generation design galleries concept at Cherry Creek Shopping Center, in Denver.
DirectBuy: Mobile is everywhere

Mobile devices are becoming the norm for every facet of consumers’ lives, including shopping.

According to a new infographic from membership-based retailer DirectBuy, 29% of U.S. adults describe their smartphone as something they can’t live without, 44% sleep with a smartphone by their bed to avoid missing notifications, and 67% check smartphones for notifications even without receiving some type of notification.
Amazon gets into the restaurant delivery biz in Oregon

Hungry consumers in Portland just got a new option for convenient eating.

Amazon.com is enabling Prime Now customers in Portland to obtain free delivery from local restaurants and food carts. Using the Prime Now mobile app, Portland customers can view participating restaurants, browse menus, place orders, track the status of their delivery, and watch as the driver travels from the restaurant to the delivery address in real time.

Once an order is placed, Amazon delivery drivers pick up and deliver the food within an hour or less.
Infographic: Mobile is everywhere

Mobile devices are becoming the norm for every facet of consumers’ lives, including shopping.

According to a new infographic from membership-based retailer DirectBuy, 29% of U.S. adults describe their smartphone as something they can’t live without, 44% sleep with a smartphone by their bed to avoid missing notifications, and 67% check smartphones for notifications even without receiving some type of notification.
Express curates menswear site

Express is partnering with 17 specialty men’s apparel brands to launch a new e-commerce site.

The exclusive online-only shop will launch on express.com beginning October 2015 and will feature brands including Creative Recreation, Havaianas, Timex, Robert Mason and more. Product categories will include footwear, watches, bags & small leather accessories, electronics, small accessories & giftables and jewelry.